The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer.
Real Madrid close in on Chelsea pair
Chelsea are set to suffer a double blow less than four weeks before the start of the new season as Real Madrid close in on two of the club’s star players.
According to the Daily Star, the Spanish giants have made Eden Hazard their number one target to replace Cristiano Ronaldo after he sparkled for Belgium at the World Cup.
Hazard could command a world-record fee in excess of £200 million, but that apparently hasn’t deterred Madrid, with Marca claiming the La Liga side are also in for the winger’s teammate Thibaut Courtois.
With Courtois’ contract expiring in a year’s time and talks over an extension reaching gridlock, it looks as though Chelsea will be forced to cash in for around £35 million.
Meanwhile, in a move that would add insult to injury, the Star adds that Madrid intend to beat the Blues to Robert Lewandowski.
The striker has expressed his wish to leave Bayern Munich this summer, but so far, no offers have been forthcoming.
Chelsea to rival Liverpool for Alisson
With Courtois edging closer to the Stamford Bridge exit door, Chelsea are preparing to rival Liverpool’s bid for Brazil goalkeeper Alisson.
According to Sky, new boss Maurizio Sarri has identified the Roma No. 1 as the ideal replacement for Courtois, despite his hefty price tag of €70 million.
It’s thought that Liverpool’s offer is slightly below Roma’s valuation, which could allow Chelsea to sneak in if they agree to pay the full amount.
Should they fail to land Alisson, then Sky suggests that the Blues could bring back Petr Cech from Arsenal, while Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel is another potential target.
Chelsea have also agreed a fee with CSKA Moscow for Aleksandr Golovin, says The Sun, with the midfielder rejecting an offer from Monaco to head to Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal eye Sidibe
Just when it seemed Arsenal had finished their summer spending, Unai Emery has been linked with a move for Monaco full-back Djibril Sidibe.
According to Sport Witness, the Gunners boss is monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation amid reported interest from Manchester United and Atletico Madrid.
With Stephan Lichtsteiner joining Arsenal in June, the club are already well-stocked at right-back, and so a move for Sidibe would hint at a possible departure for Hector Bellerin.
The 23-year-old struggled for form last season and has previously been the subject of an enquiry from Barcelona.
Tap-ins
— Gary Cahill is set to quit Chelsea if they sign Daniele Rugani from Juventus, claims the Evening Standard. Rugani is thought to be a £44.2 million target for the Blues after he helped Juventus pip Napoli to the Serie A title last season.
— Bournemouth are planning to spend big on two South American World Cup stars, says The Sun. The Cherries want Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma, who plays in La Liga for Levante, and Uruguay wing-back Diego Laxalt, who is currently at Genoa.
— Newcastle have had an offer to loan Salomon Rondon rejected by West Brom, reports The Telegraph. The Baggies will allow the striker to leave only if the Magpies meet his £16.5 million release clause.
Matthew Stanger covers European football for ESPN and is the editor of The Set Pieces. Twitter: @MatthewStanger